Baruch Dayan Ha’emet: Robert “Bob” Loup z”l

Here at JEWISHcolorado, our hearts are heavy as we grieve the passing of our friend and community patriarch, Robert (Bob) E. Loup.

Bob defined leadership. He poured his heart and soul into building and sustaining Denver’s Jewish community for over half a century. Bob served as the President of JEWISHcolorado (formerly the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado) from 1975 to 1976. He then went on to serve as the only Colorado Chair of the national federation system of UJA – United Jewish Appeal (now Jewish Federations of North America). Bob continued to be an instrumental presence in our work by serving as an Honorary, yet active member of our Board of Directors. In recognition of his tireless leadership and support, JEWISHcolorado awarded him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In Denver, his name was synonymous with answering the call. The Denver JCC renamed its most prestigious award, the Hineni Award, to the Robert E. Loup Hineni Award. Indeed, the Denver JCC itself was named after Bob, a testament to his centrality to Denver’s Jewish and wider communities.

Bob’s love for community stretched far and wide. He was a philanthropist and national leader who was modest, gracious, and heartfelt. In addition to his roles with JEWISHcolorado and the federation system, Bob also served in leadership positions for JCC Denver, Shalom Park, Kavod Senior Life, and the Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He also served with distinction on the national boards of the Jewish Agency for Israel, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

Bob’s generosity and service over the decades are the true characteristics of a community mensch.

“The biggest thing for Bob was his dedication,” recalled former UJA chair and friend Joel Tauber. “He was a great team player and a great leader. If the Jewish People needed help, you could count on Bob. He was both a tenacious fundraiser and a gentle, humble man.”

From Denver to Israel, Ukraine to Ethiopia, the Jewish People never had a better advocate than Bob Loup. He inspired a city, a people, and an entire generation of Jewish leaders, and he will be dearly missed.

Services will take place this Sunday, March 19th at Noon
Hebrew Educational Alliance
3600 S. Ivanhoe St.
Denver, CO 80237

The family will be sitting Shiva until 8:30 pm following the service and again on Monday and Tuesday from 1:00 – 4:00 pm and from 6:15 – 8:30 pm. Shiva Minions will be at 6:45pm.
14 Canon Place
Greenwood Village, CO 80111